Francis Francis for Illy X1 Ground Coffee Machine, Red

I was already using an espresso machine which, although a cheap model, produced some quite reasonable coffee. However, I was still on a quest to find a machine which produced a coffee as good, if not better than the coffee I have enjoyed in cafés and restaurants. Some of the top-rated Italian machines were a little beyond my reach costwise until I found Amazon selling the Francis Francis X1 at half price! Reviews seemed to indicate that this was a machine well worth considering, and so I made the decision. Although the machine only arrived this morning, results so far seem very good. I like very much the obvious robustness of the machine (all steel and no plastic) and the sheer weight which is no problem provided you do not need to move it around too often. The answer here is to place it with plenty of room behind as the water tank needs to be removed for filling. Most worktops allow for this anyway. A pleasant surprise was that upon opening the carton it was found to contain a 250g tin of Illy expresso coffee. The coffee this machine produces is excellent, although I am still using up an alternative make of coffee, and quite expect it to be even better with the Illy coffee. The pump runs considerably quieter and with less vibration than on my old machine on which the cup had to be physically held in place while it was filling. Another surprise is that although it is advisable to pre-warm the cup, it is not actually essential, since without this it still produces quite a hot cuppa. All in all, first results are really favourable. Watch this space.

I love the look of this coffee machine. Totally deserves 5 stars on that account.I'm giving just 3 stars for reliability, durability and performance, which is what ultimately matters right.When they work, they do make great coffee -specially if the coffee is fresh ground-and steamed milk. I was making lattes and cappuccinos with milk art almost like a pro barrista.However, I can't say the same for its performance. I've had a total of 3, is as many months, the last of which I'm returning, and have totally given up on them now.First one had a problem with the steam wand.Second one wouldn't cool down so when removing the group head, it would explode coffee out due to the high pressure.Third and final one wouldn't heat the water so only made luke warm coffee - yuck - and subsequently couldn't steam milk.Ok, so I've never been lucky with gadgets, but it seems I've exceeded even my bad luck with this particular model.There's been many good reviews for this machine, which is why I chose it and despite my own issues, I'd still recommend it for design and quality coffee when it works.

I could,nt believe it, an X1 in stainless for £360.00. I told myself it must be too good to be true. And it was. When I took it out of the box there was water inside the wrapping. I did,nt think it meant anything.I got the machine fired up and had some initial problems with the electronic beep not sounding and then the lights flashing but I seemed to rectify that after a look at the troubleshooting page.So now to make my coffee. I like it strong so the smaller of the two inserts i fill to the brim for one coffee.Whats! happening here, I cant get the portafilter on?. Why? because theres a hoofing great lump of metal in the way, so I have to take some coffee out, and then some more and then some more. By the time i,ve inserted the stuff theres only half the grinds that i normally have. Even with the larger insert I cannot put enough coffee in to make two strong cups of anything.Why did,nt a coffee drinker test this product out, after it came back from the engineers? It tastes not as good as tescos instant!On my second attempt I noticed that where the chrome collar is bolted into the main body of the machine, water was bubbling out where the seal is located, and leaking down into my coffee cup.I thought Thank God, I can send the stupid thing back!!!

My last Francis Francis coffee machine lasted 10 years before it gave up. I then foolishly decided to buy a cheap  De'Longhi Premium Pump Coffee Machine EC680.BK, 15 Bar - Black . Within a year the machine was spewing coffee everywhere. I put this down to the cheap plastic that most coffee machines are made of today. The Francis Francis is solid stainless steel, Including the filter handle, so you can be sure that they are built to last. I have taken one of these apart before with a screwdriver and changed parts, you wouldn't be able to do that with any other coffee machine. Its worth paying the extra, but see if you can source yourself a bargain like I did on the Amazon Warehouse Deals. Saved over £350.

The media could not be loaded.  Order this just under a year ago . The station head has started leaking,I’ve changed the main seal and it still leaks . Not happy with this machine especially given its cost

I like the quality - this is a substantial machine and should last for years. It has an automatic standby so won't burn out when I forget to switch it off, and it has a very active temperature control. It does not have an over-pressure valve so gets a bit messy when I tamp the coffee too much (but the water still goes into the cup or drip tray so not a big deal. Frother works but I need more practice.

Whist this machine is not perhaps the simplest to use it does make the most wonderful coffee. The construction of the machine is good and solid, and I would say is made to last, hopefully for many years of service. Although the operation is quite straight forward it does require a little bit of attention as this is a manual machine and it is necessary to pay attention to the temperature of the water as shown on the gauge, and tamping the ground coffee properly in the holder, this done look forward to an excellent espresso coffee.